It's a very darling sort of year for the Emmys with critical/Internet/real people favs like Girls, Breaking Bad, Homeland, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock popping up in multiple categories. Mad Men and American Horror Story lead with 17 nominations. Somewhat weirdly, American Horror Story qualifies for the miniseries categories because, as Vulture explained earlier this year, "the miniseries distinction is reserved for programming that has a story line that gets resolved in a single season." This logic led the first season of Downton Abbey to be considered by the Emmys as a miniseries last year, although that was bullshit then (clearly Mary and Matthew had more heart-dragging to do — no one could have possibly thought that the first season finale constituted resolution). It's a bit more understandable in the case of American Horror Story, which will focus on an entirely different story every season, but it's still a little weird since we know several characters from last time around will return. (Actually, word is that returning actors will not be reprising their Season 1 roles but take up all new ones. Jessica Lange, for example, is supposed to play a nun.) No matter - whatever it takes for a show so batshit crazy to be regarded as distinguished is fine with me.

Lena Dunham gets nods in the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. If she is not the youngest woman to ever pop up in that last category, she must be close to it. Girls is also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Hi, haters.

People talk about this being a new Golden Age of television, and these nominations serve as a reminder. Look at how good the overwhelming majority of this stuff is. The Outstanding Drama Series category alone is beautiful. I'd be thrilled if most of those win (though I'm pulling for Homeland).

The rest of the key nominations are below. There are many more that I didn't format, which you can read at the Emmys' official site. Truthfully, I didn't want to spoil the scintillating details of the Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Nonfiction Programs and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series. Can't give you everything.